Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz Prediction: Can Paul Get It Done on Saturday Night?

Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz Prediction: Can Paul Get It Done on Saturday Night?

A few years ago, when Jake Paul was fighting retired NBA players and YouTube stars, it would have been insane to think Paul would box Nate Diaz, who was fighting in the UFC at the time. Yet, a few years later, we are less than 24 hours away from Jake Paul and Nate Diaz stepping into the ring to face each other. For Diaz, this is clearly a money grab, as he will get a nice, fat paycheck for facing Paul. For Paul, he gets to add another name to his resume that has actually started to gain some substance. The books don't think this fight will even be close, as Paul is a clear -460 favorite to win the fight. Is it that lop-sided?

Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz Date, Start Time, Where to Watch

• Date: Saturday, August 5, 2023
• Start Time: Approx 11:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET
• Where to Watch: DAZN, PPV, ESPN+

Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz Prediction

Yes, I believe it is. Anyone doubting that Jake Paul has some serious boxing ability is either jealous, in denial, or both. Yes, the fighter that stepped into the ring against Nate Robinson was not much of a "boxer," and he looked very amateur, but to be fair, he had only been training for a little over a year at that point. Now, a few years later, Paul is now nearing five years of boxing training, and he already has an athletic build and athletic background to build off of. He has been training former world champion Shane Mosley leading up to this fight after his loss to Tommy Fury, and he had formerly trained with BJ Flores before that. He has real coaches and real training, and he has been taking boxing seriously, which has paid off.

Paul finally attempted to silence critics in his last fight as he fought a "real boxer" in Tommy Fury, the brother of the highly-acclaimed Tyson Fury. In my opinion, even though he lost, it was the best Jake Paul has looked in the ring. Sure, he lost a split decision, but it was a very close fight, and Paul even landed a knockdown in the eighth round. Paul has some real power behind his striking, and he has landed some brutal knockouts in his seven-fight pro career so far. Paul has now either knocked down or knocked out every opponent he has faced in the last four fights. Nate Diaz will be the fifth.

Nate Diaz is essentially another Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, and Anderson Silva. He is an older (38-year-old) fighter who is coming from the UFC to make his boxing debut. Diaz left off with a win, submitting another vet in Tony Ferguson, but that is where the trouble lies. Most of Diaz's wins in MMA came via submission, a comfort he will not have in a boxing ring. Diaz is a third-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but that skill will have no value in a boxing ring. Diaz is still a decent striker, a skill he sharpened over years in the UFC, but if this fight was in the octagon, Diaz would surely have a much better chance.

In a boxing ring, Paul has the advantage. He has been here many times in the last few years, and an aging ex-UFC fighter is no strange fight for him. Diaz also has had issues with facial scarring, meaning when he gets cut, he bleeds a lot more than a normal person. In boxing gloves, that should be a little less of an issue, but it is still something to consider. This is Paul's wheelhouse, as he has been in the ring while Diaz has been in the octagon, where he can grapple, clinch against the fence, and take opponents to the ground and submit them. His wild striking will not hold up against Paul. I expect Jake Paul to pressure Diaz early and land a few big shots that put Diaz away. Paul adds another highlight-reel KO to his record tomorrow night with a knockout of Nate Diaz.

Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz Prediction Picks

• Pick: Jake Paul by Knockout -150 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
• Small Pick: Jake Paul to win in rounds 3 or 4 +750 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds

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